A new court date has once again been set for Bert Hertzog of Winsted. His court date today (Monday, March 17) was continued until next month since he procured a new attorney.

Hertzog’s new attorney is Thomas Shiah of Minneapolis. In 2005, Shiah was listed as a “Super Lawyer” for criminal defense in Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.

The charges stem from Hertzog allegedly issuing fake inspection stickers to commercial vehicles even though he wasn’t licensed to do so.

Last month, Hertzog’s attorney, Robert Adams of Buffalo, asked to suppress a search warrant done of Hertzog’s home last June, where authorities found unauthorized vehicle inspection stickers, as well as a letter that informed Hertzog that his inspector certification was suspended — something that Hertzog said he was unaware of.

An initial investigation done by the State Patrol showed Hertzog did commercial vehicle inspections in 2006 and 2007. Hertzog issued vehicle inspection reports to owners and inspection decals, according to a formal complaint. The decal numbers issued with inspections were recorded and tracked. The decals appeared to be fake, because the actual decals were issued to other people by legitimate certified inspectors, according to the complaint.

Hertzog is charged in Wright County with theft-by-swindle, aggravated forgery, and inspecting vehicles without certification.